Maintaining temps

Cruezn

:evil: I have a large BGE, and just purchased a guru (nano). I'm planning on doing a low and slow cook on Sunday, so I'll have limited time to play with the guru before its "go" time. I have done one Boston Butt, and I really struggled to maintain my temperature (fire went out when I tried to keep my temp from going way overboard). It seemed like for 10 hours I was monkeying with the dampers every 15 minutes. In all seriousness, I had to adjust every time I looked at the temp, up/down/up/down etc. It was not the most fun I've ever had on a Saturday! I've had my egg for about 7 months, and used it 10-12 times so far. Record snowfall in Iowa has ruined my winter appetite for grilling... At any rate, I still consider myself a novice with the egg. If I understand the guru's directions, it will essentially plug up the bottom opening on the egg (I got the BGE adapter). Now, for the daisy wheel, I've never really understood names for the different parts of it. It obviously opens up really wide, or you can close it, and adjust all the little holes (I assume that's for low temp cooking?). I've seen references on the forum to petals and half moon etc. What exactly are they referring to?

asianflava

Did you get the Pit Viper fan (10cfm) with it? Basically, you light the fire as you normally would. I like to spread the coals around so that the fire is distributed in the firebox.

When the dome temp gets to about 300-350, I throw a couple wood chunks in, then put the plate setter and grate on. The temp will drop back down so don't worry.

Clip the temp probe to the grate, and put the adapter and fan on. Make the connections to the controller adjust the setpoint, and start it up.

I usually have the daisy wheel on the top vent almost closed. About half of the petals os open.

I put the meat on as it's working it's way up to temp.

Grandpas Grub

 
You will be fine as long as you light your lump in several places, don't overshoot the cook temperature.

Close the damper in the blower to about 1/4 or 1/3.

On the DFMT, close the slider (half moon) all the way. Close the petals (oval openings) to the opening of a flat tooth pick. The nano should hold your temperature rock solid.

Get cooking more, cold weather cooking is some of the best.

GG

Cruezn

Thanks for the response. I did get the pit viper 10cfm fan. I'm really looking forward to using the guru, as I would love to do something other than peer over the temp guage for 10 hrs again. When you start the fire, are you starting at the top or bottom of the firebox? I have one of those plug in electric starters, and I've been just jamming it towards the bottom of the charcoal, and starting it down there. I wonder if that is causing some of the overheating I've been fighting?

Grandpas Grub

 
Start just under the surface.

Start deeper for a good hot fire.

GG

Cruezn

DFMT?

Grandpas Grub

 
DFMT = Dual Function Metal Top (top vent) and referred to as the daisy.

Bottom left picture


GG

Cruezn

Ahaaa :woohoo:
Thanks!

Grandpas Grub

 
just put a picture above for you.

GG

Cruezn

Thanks, that helps a bunch. I just looked at the blower on the fan, and see the damper you were referring to. I hadn't noticed that before (as it just arrived today, and is still in the box waiting to go)

Dexterdog

DFMT - Dual Function Metal Top! - God Bless! I've been lurking here since mid OCT and could never determine what that stood for? I did guess it was most likely the daisy wheel. Thank you!